When it comes to trucks, there are only a few brands that contend to appease the culture and pride in America. Chevrolet has battled to gain new notoriety just after Ford and Ram’s latest design updates, and such a trend continues in the good fight with a redesigned Chevy Silverado for the 2019 model year.

>> Get the best price on the new Chevrolet Silverado from a network of local dealers now. <<

The new 2019 Chevrolet Silverado improves upon many areas where the brand believes truck buyers will want. The one exception lies with the new 2019 Silverado’s offering of a new 4-cylinder engine, something unheard of for a mainstream full-size truck – something almost sacrilegious in the scheme of rugged, capable, and powerful pickup trucks in America. However, after spending a week with the new 2019 Silverado RST powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, I can attest to Chevrolet putting some magical power in the mix where the 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine is worthy of praise and merit based on having respected power figures of 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque from 1,500 rpm.

Chevrolet surely surprised everyone and caught many off-guard with the introduction of a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine to power the base variations of the new 2019 Silverado. Having experienced the engine mated to the brand’s proven 8-speed automatic transmission, there’s a lot that I walked away in awe about starting with the ability of the Silverado to keep on pace with its V8-powered counterparts. Moreover, the 4-cylinder turbo was never inadequate on the road for overtaking vehicles and jumping into highway-speed traffic.

Everything about the 4-cylinder turbo was pleasing other than the constant high-pitched turbo spool sounds – most of which are almost reminiscent of fast-spooling turbo diesel engines. Though, the one downfall is the 4-cylinder’s towing power, which is somewhat adequate for towing small boats or jet skis. However, after taking up my neighbor on the idea of towing his 18-foot Pioneer Islander boat, I found the Silverado RST’s forward grunt mostly diminishes but can tow 11,600 pounds or a haul a payload of up to 2,202 pounds. The 4-cylinder was up to the task to keep things moving but not with the authority of something like the base-level Ford F150 V6-EcoBoost. It did prove to be a better choice over the 4.3-liter V6, because “turbo and efficiency” – getting an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

Chevrolet’s quest to be a shining symbol for trucks, or the classic and proven bowtie that enthusiasts look for, is a perpetual battle and the new Silverado is a step in the right direction to gain newfound notoriety. Even though my Silverado RST test vehicle was void of many available options, one can conclude that it’s the best Silverado yet and having the long list of available features places the Silverado in a position to serve multiple duties for consumers, not just the typical truck that could tow a house at the expense of your life savings.

There’s something to be said about the no-frills package found in the Silverado RST. Most of its basics pay homage to having a work truck that does just fine to get the job done right the first time but can serve occasional duty to take the family out for a night on the town, or down the highway on a long comfy trip.

Factoring in the limited number of features in the turbo 4-cylinder-powered RST Silverado, the pricing appeared to be a bit steep with an as-tested figure of $47,795. Though, adding just a couple grand more will easily get you into a nicely-equipped V8-powered Silverado but the added power may not be everything for everyone considering how much power the turbo-4 dishes out. Such a powertrain may be the sweet spot for those who don’t look to tow many large loads and want an economical full-sized truck, which the Silverado RST serves such a purpose quite well.

>> Get the best price on the new Chevrolet Silverado from a network of local dealers now. <<

Reliability is arguably the most important factor to take into consideration when purchasing a second-hand vehicle. When you buy a car straight out of a showroom, it usually comes with an extended warranty period. Buying second-hand, however, rarely provide you with such luxuries.

To help make sure you don’t end up with a car that spends more time in the garage than on the road, we’ve compiled a list of five of the most reliable second-hand vehicles you can buy today.

Toyota Hilux Pickup

Source: Gumtree

Second-Hand Cost: $8,000-30,000

Reliability Record: *****

The Toyota Hilux is synonymous with reliability. Its early incarnations in the 1970s helped to propel the manufacturer into the worldwide brand it is today.

Nowadays, finding a Hilux with less than 200,000 miles on the clock is considered “low mileage” thanks to its superior leaf-sprung front suspension and durable four-cylinder engine.

In 2007, an updated model of the indestructible pickup featured on the TV show Top Gear. Driven by presenter Jeremy Clarkson, it became the first ever vehicle to make it to the North Pole.

Chevrolet Malibu

Source: Flickr

Second-Hand Cost: $5,000-25,000

Reliability Record: ****

The J.D. Power 2018 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, which measured the number of problems second-hand vehicle owners have faced over the last 12 months, found the Chevrolet Malibu to be the most reliable midsize car of the last three years.

Its 196-horsepower engine is coupled with a steel body frame, giving drivers both power and security in equal measure.

Lexus ES

Source: Flickr

Second-Hand Cost: $5,000-30,000

Reliability Record: *****

The ES might not win any prizes for its design, but underneath the hood, is one of the Japanese automakers finest achievements.

Its six-speed sequential shift automatic gearbox combines seamlessly with its 3.5-liter engine to provide greater fuel economy than many other vehicles in its class.

The cherry on tops comes in the form of its faultless reliability record, with owners reporting no major issues for the past 11 years, according to the non-profit organization Consumer Reports.

Dodge Challenger

Source: Flickr

Second-Hand Cost: $8,000-50,000

Reliability Record: ****

Drivers looking for reliability alongside eye-catching design could do worse than the Dodge Challenger.

Like most Dodges, the Challenger packs a meaty 6.4-liter engine that tops out at around 200mph. With such speed possible, it’s reassuring to know that the Challenger also comes equipped with a five-star rating for safety from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Mazda3

Source: Flickr

Second-Hand Cost: $6,000-18,000

Reliability Record: ****

Another Japanese entry in our list comes in the form of the Mazda3. Since 2010, this family hatchback has had a near faultless reliability record when it comes to engine, transmission and brake system performance.

Although users have reported issues with in-car electronics, this stylish performer is still an attractive buy on the second-hand market thanks to its price point.

Finally…

Any reputable list of reliable second-hand cars isn’t complete without a word of warning on which vehicles you should avoid. The following have poor reliability records;